A comparison between magnetic resonance imaging and pathologic findings in patients with disc displacement.
OBJECTIVE
This study compared the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and pathologic findings in patients with disc displacement without perforation.


METHODS
Eleven patients and 30 asymptomatic volunteers underwent MRI using the three-dimensional (3D) fast imaging with a steady precession sequence (FISP) acquisition technique. The 11 patients (11 joints) then underwent discectomy, and the pathologic and MRI findings were compared.


RESULTS
MRI (FISP-3D) examination of the temporomandibular joint in 11 patients (11 joints) showed low signal intensity in the anterior band and the intermediate zone of the disc, and high signal intensity in the posterior band of the disc and retrodiscal tissue. On microscopic examination, the anterior band and intermediate zone of the disc were found to consist of dense collagenous bundles showing mild hyaline degeneration. Myxomatous degeneration was seen in the posterior band of the disc (11 joints), and edematous change was seen in the retrodiscal tissues (seven joints).


CONCLUSIONS
Pathologic changes in the disc and the retrodiscal tissues are accurately depicted by FISP-3D.
Takaku
S
S
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Saitama Medical School, Japan.
Sano
T
T
Yoshida
M
M
Toyoda
T
T
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017746:Joint Capsule / Q000473:pathology; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D019224:Temporomandibular Joint Disc / Q000473:pathology*; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000473:pathology*